I Believe…

 

… that the Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God.  In it we find the revelation of God’s plan for man’s salvation as well as the consistent rule of faith and practice for the Christian life.

 

… that there is one only living and true God.  He is the Creator of all things.  He is perfect and eternal, existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  These three being the same in essence and equal in every divine quality.

 

… that God created man in His image, without sin, and in union with God.  By voluntary rebellion man fell into a state of enmity against God and is under the penalty of eternal death and separation from God.

 

… that Jesus Christ is God the Son.  True God and true man.  He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary.  He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of all men.  He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is now at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.

 

… that salvation comes by believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works.

 

… that Water Baptism, by immersion, and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during this present age. Water Baptism is the declaration that the believer has died with Christ and has been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. The Lord’s Supper shows forth the death of the Lord until He returns.

 

… that the present ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Spirit indwells, guides, instructs, and empowers the believer for godly living and service.  All the Gifts of the Spirit are available today to the believer and are distributed as the Spirit wills.

 

… that all believers are entitled to, and should expect and seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to the command of Jesus Christ.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is initially evidenced by the physical sign of speaking with an unknown language as the Spirit enables.  With this gift comes the endowment of power for life and service.  This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.

 

… the true church is composed of all those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation.  Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and all believers are united together as the Body of Christ.  Every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs.

 

… that God, in the atonement, has provided everything we need for life and godliness.  Salvation, healing, power, and prosperity are the believer’s portion.

 

… that Jesus Christ is coming again to gather all His Saints to heaven.  This is the blessed hope of the church.  There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to everlasting, conscious punishment.  Jesus Christ will rule and reign on the earth for 1000 years after which there will be a new heaven and a new earth.